Directions

1. Heat oven to 350oF. Break cookies into pieces and place in a food processor; process to finely ground crumbs. Combine crumbs with 1/4 cup of the sugar and the butter. Press crumb mixture evenly over bottom and halfway up sides of a 9 inch round and 3 inch deep spring-form pan. Bake 10 minutes or until crust is set; cool on wire rack 20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in large bowl of electric mixer, using the whip attachment, whip cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add cream; beat at medium speed until soft peaks form; transfer to another bowl and chill.

3. In clean bowl of electric mixer, combine egg whites and 1/2 cup of the sugar. Place bowl over a pot of simmering water (not touching bottom of bowl); whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture reaches 130oF. Place bowl on the stand mixer; using the whip attachment, beat on high speed until meringue forms and mixture is room temperature, 3 to 4 minutes.

4. Place raspberries and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a food processor. Process until pureed. Place mixture in a strainer placed over a large bowl. Press firmly on the raspberry mixture to extract all the juice. Discard seeds. Gently stir in half the meringue. Gently stir in half of the whipped cream mixture. Repeat stirring in remaining meringue and whipped cream until well combined.

6. To serve, run a thin spatula between semifreddo and edge of rim to loosen. Remove rim from spring-form pan. Cut semifreddo into wedges; serve immediately. If there is any remaining semifreddo, reattach the rim of spring-form pan, cover and return to the freezer for up to 1 week.

To Harlan from St. Paul: Re: gluten free
I believe the only potential gluten is from the chocolate wafer cookies , so I would just substitute your favorite gluten free chocolate wafer cookies . I have seen them at my local Publix and Trader Joes Supermarkets. In a pinch I've seen gluten free chocolate cream filled sandwich style cookies too. You could open up the cookie and scrape away the cream middle and use those cookies if you needed to. Good Luck!!